IPGC Golf from The Haven
Monday, May 15, Crystal Bay – Stableford
CSS 71
1st Brian Beaupre (6) 34pts
2nd Terry Hodgkiss (29) 33pts
3rd Philip Cass (19) 32pts
4th Markku Tynell (23) 31pts
5th John Carlin (18) 29pts
With two teams playing in the Mean Pro-Am, being played at Pattana in conjunction with the inaugural Tour event being held there on the following four days, there was a reduced field that set off from The Haven and one which had been reduced further by the constant rain that had deluged Pattaya since before dawn.
In the event, the day turned out to be perfect for golf as the rain ceased some five miles out of town and the day remained overcast but dry with a light wind.
The going was still a bit tough though, with little run in the fairways and slow greens due to the recent weather conditions., and so Brian Beaupre did well to return a two over handicap card to win by one from Terry Hodgkiss, who is making some return to form with yet another podium finish with the group.
Philip Cass returned to take third place and but for three zeros include in the round would have probably won the day.
Markku Tynell managed to take fourth place with a card that showed no zeros but a few too many single pointers to challenge the leaders. He was followed in by John Carlin who had a quiet day which also included too many zeros.
There were no 2s in the first division but John Carlin slipped in the sole one in the second division.
Wednesday, May 17, Bangpra – Stableford
Although it was again raining when the group left for the course, they did so in high hopes that the day would turn out as the Monday event had, but these dreams were sadly misplaced, as after starting out in a fine rain they found the course to be totally waterlogged and in no condition for golf. The management did give out some vouchers for another discounted round, to be used by the month’s end, but in all conscience they should have declared the course closed as unplayable. But TIT.
Friday, May 19, Pattaya C.C. – Monthly Medal
CSS 71
Division 1 (0-15)
1st Mark Cooper (11) net 68
2nd Brian Beaupre (6) net 73
3rd Geoff Potter (9) net 81
Division 2 (16+)
1st John Tallett (26) net 71
2nd John Carlin (18) net 72
3rd John O’Sullivan (23) net 75
At last the weather relented and the group set off for the local Pattaya Country Club under clear skies with a light breeze. Unfortunately the course was still suffering the after effects of the recent heavy rains, with the fairways offering little run and the greens much slower due to the understandable lack of mowing. But apart from those two matters the course was in fairly good condition considering the amount of water the area has absorbed over the last weeks.
Mark Cooper led in the first division by a massive five strokes and could have been even better but for an unfortunate quadruple on the 17th. Brian Beaupre took second place after finishing strongly with a gross 38 on the back nine but a few too many slips on the front nine undid his chances for the day. Geoff Potter struggled most of the way round but still managed to secure third place some way behind the leading two.
The second division was taken by John Tallett to record his second medal win in succession with a very creditable one under handicap return to just pip John Carlin by a single stroke. John O’Sullivan laid claim to third place after winning a count back over Larry Gibb with an outstanding back nine of 33.5 to win by six from Larry’s 39.5.
There were no 2s in the second division but Mark Cooper made it a double celebration with the only one in the first division to clean out the rollover pot.
